Ismael LynchMay 24, 2018

Mr Cohen, who was not registered as a representative of Ukraine, was brought in because Ukraine's registered lobbyists and its embassy in Washington could get Mr Poroshenko little more than a photo op with Mr Trump while the Ukrainian leader, "needed something that could be portrayed as "talks", the broadcaster reported.

However, the meeting was in doubt even as Poroshenko was en route to the US, infuriating Ukranian officials that Cohen took the money, reportedly as high as $600,000, despite not being able to make good on his promise, the BBC reports.

As part of the NY probe, prosecutors are investigating Cohen for possible campaign finance violations and bank fraud.

It's the first time we've heard of payments to Cohen that resulted in action by the White House.

The Ukrainian MP was later put in touch with Cohen after using personal contacts at a Jewish charity in NY.

Wood has ordered prosecutors, Cohen and Daniels to submit a joint agenda for the hearing by Friday.

Public records show that Cohen took out a business loan in late 2014 for an unspecified amount using three taxi companies as collateral. He in turn used personal contacts in a Jewish charity in NY state, Chabad of Port Washington.

If anybody knows where the taxi medallion bodies are buried, it is surely New York's taxi king, whom prosecutors gave a PRETTY SWEET DEAL - five years of probation when he was facing 100 years of hard time for felony tax fraud.

It suggests that Cohen broke a U.S. law requiring people to register as lobbyists for foreign governments.

This is what set up the encounter with Cohen, who spend decades as Trump's personal lawyer and fixer, it was said.

That likelihood could become greater with a business partner of Mr. Cohen's cooperating with law enforcement. Freidman managed cabs for Cohen-the embattled attorney had at least 34 medallions to his name-and agreed to talk to investigators as part of a deal to downgrade state charges that he skipped out on $5 million owed to the government, which could have sent him to prison for 25 years.

Trump has also sought to downplay his relationship with Cohen, insisting he was one of many attorneys that he uses.

In mid-April the New York Post reported that Cohen once rented Ivanka and Jared Kushners Park Avenue apartment to the Taxi King.

The meeting at the White House was in June of 2017.

According to the BBC, several sources in Ukraine said Mr Poroshenko, believing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was sure to win the presidency, had authorised the leak of a document published by the New York Times in August 2016.

No seeding for Serena
She lost in the third round to her sister Venus at Indian Wells and suffered a first-round loss to Naomi Osaka at the Miami Open. Simona Halep, the No. 1 singles player, also said women who go on maternity leave should have their rankings protected.

Everything you need to know about Battlefield V
This last-player-standing concept appears to be Battlefield's take on the popular battle royale trend now running through gaming. A debut trailer gives players their first look at the game, which is set during World War II and its "unseen locations".